HeidelbergCement expects its profit margins to improve this quarter

According to the latest Reuters report, HeidelbergCement expects its profit margins to improve this quarter, assisted by greater pricing power.

Chief Executive Bernd Scheifele said the German cement maker was trying to raise prices in its home market, and was confident of a price hike in the US and had already agreed improvements in the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Russia.

"Overall, also on the pricing side, there is some momentum. And also again energy is our friend," he told analysts on a conference call, referring to low energy prices. "That's why I would expect also for Q1 a solid margin development."

HeidelbergCement earlier reported 2015 results and a dividend increase that lifted its shares 1.3% to the top of the German blue-chip index.